Sanrio Has Shocking News: Hello Kitty is NOT a Cat [UPDATED]

Sanrio is a Japanese company that has been known for designing cartoon characters and products focused on the Japanese “kawaii” (which means “cute”) culture. Their best known character is Hello Kitty, a brand that’s been popular amongst countless young women in our generation. Up until this point, Hello Kitty has always been known as a cat. Who wouldn’t think that right? Just look at her!

Apparently, we’ve been wrong this whole time. According to Christine R. Yano, an anthropologist from the University of Hawaii, who has studied the popularity of Hello Kitty for years, was corrected by Sanrio when she referred to it as a cat.

“I was corrected — very firmly,” Yano told the Los Angeles Times. “That’s one correction Sanrio made for my script for the show. Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s a cartoon character. She is a little girl. She is a friend. But she is not a cat. She’s never depicted on all fours. She walks and sits like a two-legged creature. She does have a pet cat of her own, however, and it’s called Charmmy Kitty.”

Yano is putting together a Hello Kitty exhibit for display at the Japanese American National Museum.

Well there you have it- what we’ve recognized to be a cat this whole time is actually not a cat afterall. Now go get on with your lives.